The Unstoppable Ascent: Nikola Jokić’s Record-Breaking December 2025
The record books of the NBA are being systematically dismantled by the man they call “The Joker.” In what can only be described as a month of statistical impossibilities, Nikola Jokić has moved beyond mere greatness and into a stratosphere previously occupied by names like Wilt Chamberlain and Magic Johnson.
As of late December 2025, Jokić isn’t just leading the Denver Nuggets (22-9); he is fundamentally redefining what a center is capable of in the modern era.
The Masterpiece: Christmas Day 2025
The most significant chapter of this month was written on Christmas Day in a 142-138 overtime thriller against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Facing an elite defense, Jokić produced a performance that felt like a glitch in the simulation.
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The Stat Line: 56 Points, 16 Rebounds, and 15 Assists.
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History Made: He became the first player in NBA history to record a 55-15-15 game.
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Overtime Dominance: Jokić scored 18 points in the five-minute overtime period, breaking Stephen Curry’s previous record (17) for the most points scored in a single OT in league history.
What made this more remarkable was that Jokić scored those 18 points in just the final 2 minutes and 53 seconds of the extra period.
December 2025: A Trail of Milestones
Beyond the Christmas Day explosion, Jokić has spent the month of December ticking off milestones that usually take players entire careers to reach.
1. Passing Kareem
Earlier this month, Jokić surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career assists by a center in NBA history. The “shocking” part of this record? It took Abdul-Jabbar 1,560 games to set the mark; Jokić shattered it in just 771 games—less than half the time.
2. The Historic Three-Game Span
Following a 34-point, 21-rebound, 12-assist performance against the Orlando Magic on December 27, Jokić became the first player in history to log over 110 points, 40 rebounds, and 40 assists in a three-game window. His averages over that week were a staggering 36.6 PPG, 13.3 RPG, and 13.3 APG.
3. Chasing the Triple-Double Crown
With 180 career regular-season triple-doubles (and 198 total including playoffs), Jokić has pulled within striking distance of the all-time legends:
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Oscar Robertson (181): Jokić needs only one more to tie and two to take the #2 spot all-time.
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Russell Westbrook (207): At his current pace of nearly one triple-double every two games, Jokić is projected to challenge Westbrook for the #1 spot before the end of the 2025-26 season.
Statistical Snapshot: The 2025-26 Campaign
| Category | Season Average (as of Dec 29) | NBA Rank |
| Points per Game | 29.9 | Top 5 |
| Rebounds per Game | 12.4 | Top 3 |
| Assists per Game | 11.1 | 1st |
| Triple-Doubles | 16 (Season) | 1st |
| FG% / 3PT% | 60.4% / 44.0% | Elite |
Why It’s “Remarkable”
What truly sets this run apart is the context. Denver has been decimated by injuries to Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson. Opposing defenses know exactly where the ball is going, yet Jokić’s combination of brute strength, soft touch, and “telepathic” passing makes him unguardable.
Whether he is throwing a 70-foot touchdown pass or hitting a “Sombor Shuffle” over a double-team, Jokić is playing a version of basketball that hasn’t been seen in the 75-year history of the league.
“I mean, I had a good game,” Jokić said after his 56-point triple-double. “The ball went in.”
As the Nuggets prepare for their next clash against the Miami Heat, the question is no longer if Jokić will break another record, but which one is next on his list.
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